The disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of the Culex mosquito

The recent outbreak of West Nile virus that spreads through the United States is the greatest of all time in the country, according to new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are 1118 confirmed cases reported to the CDC, including 41 deaths.

About 75% of cases are found in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota and Oklahoma.

Texas has been at the epicenter of the outbreak, with 586 confirmed cases and 21 deaths, according to the State Health Department. MZ